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Staness Jonekos's Bio

Despite having a name thats derived from the mans name Stanley, Staness has been a lifelong crusader for women. Among her many accomplishments in a successful television career, she was one of the original executive producers who launched the television network Oxygen Media, cofounded by Oprah Winfrey.

An air force brat, Staness lived in 12 different homes scattered from North America to Europe and Africa, attending 10 different schools before graduating from high school. Surviving change had its challengesnew homes, schools and friendsbut change became a constant companion in Stanesss life.

Shortly after winning Sumter, South Carolinas, Junior Miss beauty contest, Staness moved to California with her family. Using her Junior Miss scholarship money, she continued her education at UCLA and majored in theater arts, a childhood hobby that kept her out of trouble amidst her many relocations. After college, Staness landed in Tinseltown, where she spent the next three decades in front of and behind the camera, as she searched for her lifes purpose.

Discovered by a talent agent in Hollywood while working at a television production job, Staness slid into the exciting world of acting and modeling. She appeared in The Love Boat, Falcon Crest, The Young and the Restless and I Was a Teenage Vampire. This glamorous career was also sprinkled with modeling jobs: poster girl for Miller Lite, Shop Television Networks staff model, hostess for Donald Trumps game show, numerous swimwear print ads and local commercials. While appreciative of her unplanned on-camera successes, Staness continued to search for her true calling.

Intrigued by the power of television to change lives, Staness created her own production company, Krystal Productions. She produced and directed her first documentary, A Sea of Trouble hosted by John Forsythe, revealing the untold story of the tuna/dolphin saga. Krystal Productions also garnered 12 Telly Awards, a CINDY Award, an ADDY Award and a SIVA Award. Among her distinguished corporate clients were America West Airlines, Hilton Hotels and Technicolor.

Invited to be one of the original executive producers to launch Oprah Winfreys womens network, Oxygen Media, Staness delivered five series and cocreated Oxygen Medias Be Fearless campaign to empower women. It was this campaign that held the key to Stanesss elusive calling. She began to examine and overcome her deepest fears. Once afraid to expose her inner thoughts and feelings for fear she would not be loved or acceptedno doubt the result of many childhood movesher newfound courage allowed her to fling open the door to writing. Inspired by a lifetime of constant change, Staness moved forward fearlessly.

During this transition, after 30 years of dating, she met her Prince Charming, Michael, at a Valentines party. Finding they enjoyed the same hobbiestravel, sailing, flying and dogsMichael proposed six months later.

As Staness dived into a writing career and her new life with Michael, she slammed headlong into an uninvited changemenopause. After decades of embracing change, it is appropriate that Stanesss debut book is dedicated to one of the biggest changes a woman faces. Together with leading menopause expert Dr. Wendy Klein, The Menopause Makeover is jam-packed with menopause solutions in eight easy steps.

Currently writing her next nonfiction book and first novel, Staness lives in Los Angeles with her husband and German shepherd pup, Salem.